Ladakh – Ride of a lifetime!

The chimes of “Juley!” still ring in my ears and a content smile comes on my face, thinking of those peaceful eyes and warm cheerful smiles. Juley means ‘greetings’ in Ladakhi. Everyone greets each other by saying ‘Ju-leyy’ in a way that almost sounds like a sweet song! 🙂 This simple sweetness of the people, stunning scenery and the adventures on our bike ride through 3600 kms of Himalayas, and I’ve fallen in love all over again with life and travelling!

On Srinagar – Leh highway

It’s been a month since I got back from an awesome road trip to Ladakh, and I still haven’t found enough words to describe what I saw or felt just being there! It takes a while to get over the solitude and the overwhelming scale & beauty of these Himalayas! Enchanted by the clear blue skies, unrealistic moon-like landscapes, beautiful ancient monasteries and the jaw dropping night skies, I still dream of those timeless peaceful moments… it is truly the most divine place on earth!

On Srinagar – Leh highway

This was my first bike trip to the Himalayas and it was euphoric – ride of a lifetime! I’ve realized that there is not a better way to travel and experience these mountains than on a bike, with close friends. It’s quite a challenge in this rough terrain as most parts of the road are above 13,000 ft and the distance one can cover in a day depends on the road and weather conditions. It’s quite a thrill to ride but I was fortunate to sit pillion and enjoy the view.  🙂

Ladakh – ride of my life!

Itinerary of the trip: 20 days

Delhi to Kargil: Delhi – Anantpur Sahib – Jammu – Srinagar via Zoji La Pass to Drass – Kargil.

Kargil to Zanskar: Kargil – Parkachik – Rangdum (Suru Valley) & back to Kargil. (The road goes till Padum in Zanskar)

Kargil to Leh via Srinagar Ladakh highway: Kargil – Lamayuru Monastery – Likir Monastery – Alchi Monastery – Leh (Leh Palace, Thikse Monastery)

Leh to Nubra: Leh via Khardung La Pass – Diskit – Hunder – Turtuk and back to Leh.

Leh to Tso Moriri: Leh – Upshi – Chumathang – Mahe bridge – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar.

Pang to Delhi via Leh Manali highway: Pang – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali and back to Delhi.

On way to Zanskar, Ladakh

We started our journey from Delhi and chose the Srinagar – Leh route, as the accent to the higher Himalayas is more gradual from Srinagar than going from Manali to Leh. Here are some more reasons to choose this route. Crossing cities, towns, villages, mountains and meandering rivers we drove for 10 -12 hours a day and stopped by sunset wherever we found a descent place to tuck ourselves in a warm bed. Taking breaks in between to take photos or sip on chai, admiring the view of the glorious vista surrounding us and acquainting with the place & people. Wandering and exploring each day, it was a nomadic life that I loved!

On way to Rangdum Monastery, Suru valley, Ladakh

Settlements become more remote as you go deeper in the Himalayas, but Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Tourism has bungalows and guesthouses in most places, and there are home-stays too, which give simple food (dal, egg & rice mostly) & hot water for bath, a luxury in most of Ladakh. Homestay is a unique way to experience the culture & people of Ladakh. The people are warm, friendly, helpful and generally happy.

Rangdum Monastery, Ladakh

It’s a sensitive area as it’s near the international borders of India and an Inner Line Permit is required to visit most places, which can be obtained from Leh. The roads are in very good condition at some places like Nubra valley and Srinagar – Leh Highway and all the army areas, but in some places there’s barely a dirt track. The roads are constantly being constructed or repaired by BRO (Border Roads Organization).

Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert mostly barren, desolate and harsh yet sublimely beautiful – a paradise for photographers. Wide-angle lenses are a MUST and so are polarizing filters, to filter out the reflected light. Also, while framing landscapes look for something to compare the size of the gigantic mountains with. Take a tripod and a remote switch, if you are interested in night photography. The night skies in Ladakh are as magnificent as the landscapes in the day! Make sure you have enough memory cards and extra batteries, as at some places the temperature is sub-zero, which makes the batteries discharge sooner.

High altitude lake Tso Moriri in Changthang, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir

A few pictures from the trip. For more pictures of Ladakh on Flickr.

Ladakh – Tso Moriri

View of Leh from Leh Palace

Thiksey Monastery near Leh

Tso Moriri – Largest high altitude lake in India

Azure Tso Moriri

View from Rangdum Monastery, Suru valley, Ladakh

Pre-historic rock art at Domkhar Santuary

Kiang near Tso Moriri

Picturesque scenery at Leh

Tso Kiagar on way to Tso Moriri

Bactrian Camels at Nubra valley, Ladakh

Maitreya Buddha statue at Likir Monastery

A family outside their house in Rangdum, on way to Zanskar, Ladakh

Lamayuru Monastery at sunset

Rangdum, Suru valley, Ladakh

Donkeys at Rangdum Monastery, Ladakh

Magpie, a colorful Himalayan bird

Cold dessert at Hunder, Nubra valley

Dal lake, Srinagar

Crystal clear waters of Tso Moriri

Milky way in Ladakh

Baby Bactrian Camel at Hunder, Nubra

A wild sheep’s head, Tso Kar, Ladakh

Meandering roads near Pang

Bactrian Camels at Nubra valley, Ladakh

Ladakh is ‘the land of high passes’, breath-taking landscapes, pristine lakes and gorgeous monasteries in the Himalayas. Travelling through this idyllic beauty of the mountains, peace & tranquility, warm-hearted people and the hair-raising adventure was the most unusual, ‘out of this world’ experience I’ve had – a dream trip to the roof of the world! 🙂

This piece is a part of a series on my travels to Ladakh, other posts – Smiling Faces of Ladakh – heartwarming people of Ladakh and Hidden treasure of Ladakh – prehistoric Rock Art that dates back to 3000 BC! I managed to capture some special, adventurous moments from my travels to the Himalayas in video, watch wild Himalayan dogs run along our bike in Ladakh, crossing over fresh water streams in Zanskar, riding through beautiful lush green Suru valley and as Kiangs cross the road before us in Hanle.

Advertisement